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Attorneys

James L. Csontos 
Phoenix, Arizona
phone (602) 234-7832
fax (602) 277-5595
email jlc@jhc-law.com

Mr. Csontos practices in the Firm's Surety and Construction Litigation section where he devotes a substantial portion of his practice providing legal advice and representation to owners, contractors, sureties and other members of the construction industry.

Mr. Csontos also serves as corporate counsel to numerous small businesses, assisting them with various types of legal matters including business operations, contract questions and litigation.

Mr. Csontos joined the Firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1994.

Mr. Csontos is a graduate of Arizona State University (B.S. 1982 and J.D. 1986).

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS
  • National construction and engineering firms in litigation specific to their Arizona operations.
  • Contractors in litigation and mechanics' lien disputes.
  • Owners in contract negotiations and litigation involving construction projects.
  • Subcontractors in contract negotiations and litigation.
  • Sureties in their investigation and settlement of payment bond and performance bond claims.
  • Contractors in bid protests against public owners.
  • Contractors before the Registrar of Contractors and Administrative Law Judges.
  • Local businesses in their business formation and transactions.
  • Litigants before the Arizona and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

PUBLISHED OPINIONS

  • ABC Supply, Inc. v. Edwards, 191 Ariz. 48, 952 P.2d 286 (Ct. App. 1996)
  • Aesthetic Property Maintenance, Inc. v. Capitol Indem. Corp., 183 Ariz. 74, 900 P.2d 1210 (1995)
  • Big D v. Court of Appeals, 163 Ariz. 560, 789 P.2d 1061 (1990)
  • Western Sun Contracting Co. v. Superior Court, 159 Ariz. 223, 766 P.2d 96 (Ct. App. 1989)
Areas of Practice:
Appellate Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Construction Defect Litigation
Surety & Fidelity Law
Bar Admissions:
Arizona
U.S. District Court District of Arizona
U.S. District Court Northern District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Education:
Arizona State University, College of Law, Tempe, Arizona, 1986
J.D
Honors: Cum Laude


Arizona State University, 1982
B.S.
Honors: Magna Cum Laude


Published Works:
Property Crawlers, AZRE Magazine, November/December, 2009


Deal or no Dealership, Coverage under Motor Vehicle Dealer License Bonds, Author, Western States Surety Conference, 2009


Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2009


How to Deal with the Rambo Litigator and Avoid Dirty Litigation Tactics, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2008


Professional Liability in Design and Construction Contracts, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2008


Construction Law Fundamentals: Handling Project Risk, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc.,, 2007


Managing Complex Construction Law Issues, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2006


State by State Guide to Construction Contracts and Claims, Contributing Author, (Arizona chapter), Aspen Publishers, 2006 and annual supplements


State by State Guide to Architect, Engineer, and Contractor Licensing, Contributing Author, (Arizona Supplement) Aspen Law Publications 2002-present


50 State Construction Lien and Bond Law, Second Edition, Contributing Author, (Arizona chapter) Aspen Law Publications, 2000 and annual supplements


Mechanics' Lien Law and Strategies in Arizona, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1996-2005


Construction Payment Remedies in Arizona, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1997-2005


Arizona Construction Law: What do you do when?, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1999-2005


Advanced Construction Law in Arizona, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1999-2005


Handling Miscellaneous Bond Claims, Contributing Author, Western States Surety Conference, 1998


Using a Mechanics Lien to Get Your Money, National Business Institute, Inc., 2006


Fundamentals of Construction Law in Arizona, 2004


An Overview of Arizona Civil RICO, 1989


"Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Laws", Co-Author with (William F. Haug)


"Construction Law: What do you do When . . Delay, Changed Conditions, Contract Changes", 1993


Classes/Seminars Taught:
National Bond Claims Association's Annual Seminar, October 11, 2007 - October 12, 2007


Using a Mechanics' Lien to Get Your Money, National Business Institute, June 5, 2006


Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects, Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects, January 13, 2009


Professional Liability in Design and Construction Contracts, National Business Institute, September 9, 2008


Arizona Construction Law for Architects, Engineers and Contractors, HalfMoon Seminars, April 3, 2008


Construction Law Fundamentals: Managing Project Risk, National Business Institute, December 12, 2007


Managing Complex Construction Law Issues, National Business Institute, September 8, 2006


No License? No Problem..., Construction Section of the Arizona State Bar Association meeting, September 5, 2006


How to Deal with the 'Rambo' Litigator and Avoid Dirty Litigation Tactics, National Business Institute, June 25, 2008


In Search of the Pot of Gold: Where to Find Money When It Is Not Where It Should Be, State Bar of Arizona, Construction Section monthly seminar, 2000


Handling Miscellaneous Bond Claims, Western States Surety Conference, 1998


Professional Associations and Memberships:
State Bar of Arizona


Arizona State Bar Construction Section
Executive Council, 1998 - 2003, Chairman, 2001 - 2002


Maricopa County Bar Association


American Bar Association


Jennings, Haug & Cunningham, LLP
2800 N. Central Avenue, Ste 1800
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-234-7800
Fax: 602-277-5595

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